Is Charlottesville expensive to live?

Charlottesville costs around $3,600 per person per month for a moderate lifestyle, slightly above the US average of $3,525 and in line with Virginia as a whole. It is not cheap by Southern or Mid-Atlantic standards: Tennessee ($3,175), West Virginia ($3,100), and North Carolina ($3,450) all come in lower. The premium comes from housing. University of Virginia demand and a tight local rental market push one-bedrooms near campus into the $1,400 to $1,800 range, with Albemarle County offering some relief. Compared to major metros, Charlottesville is much cheaper than New York City ($5,775) or Los Angeles ($5,050), and broadly tied with Richmond ($3,600). For the full lifestyle tier breakdown, see our Charlottesville cost of living page.